Library board votes to end controversial policy that moved books out of teen section
The Hamilton East Public Library Thursday nixed its controversial book relocation and removal policy that had embroiled the community in fierce and often ugly debate for nearly two years while casting the northern suburbs as a hotbed of the national culture wars.
The board voted 5-1 with one abstention to end the contentious program that moved books from the young adult shelves to the adult stacks. It had been on hold since August when the staunch conservatives who passed the measure last December lost majority control of the board.
More from the meeting: HEPL board president announces resignation; book moving policy nixed
The board voted to adopt a plan proposed by member Michelle Payne that is expected to return most of the books that were moved back to the young adults section.
“We must resolve the Collection Development Policy to begin anew in 2024,” Payne wrote in the report. “The topic has consumed our conversations and collective energy during the past two years.”
Previously: Library staff have been reviewing and reshelving books for months. Now the policy is suspended.
Members of the public speak out against policy at HEPL meeting
About 50 people attended the meeting at the Fishers library, most in support of rescinding the policy.
"As a mother of with four school-age children I am extremely happy," said Stephanie Hunt, 40. "This puts the experts of library science back in charge."
Payne cited as “convincing evidence” for killing the program the results of a survey — conducted from July 18 through Aug. 6 — answered by 3,109 residents in Hamilton County.
In the survey, 533 respondents agreed with the statement: “Stop book banning/censorship/improve board/trust librarians.” Just 44 of the respondents agreed with the statement “continue with the new collection development policy/provide age-appropriate material/remove ‘porn.'''
Previously: John Green says library controversy over teen books is bad for business, students
“The majority of public comments this board has heard at meetings plus the majority of emails we have received during the past year have indicated that patrons do not support the policy,” Payne wrote.
Board President Tiffanie Ditlevson questioned the thoroughness of the survey and how representative it was of the public at large. A conservative, she suggested a more exhaustive survey.
"Just know that we are not listening to some people in the community," Ditlevson said. "That is the feedback I get."
Ditlevson, who was elected to the Fishers City Council on Nov. 7, abstained from the vote to revoke the policy and Micah Beckwith voted against it. After the vote Ditvlevson announced she would resign from the library board on Dec. 31. After her announcement, the library board selected Craig Siebe as president and Ditlevson as vice president.
Voting in favor were: Andre Miksha, Siebe, Payne, Bill Kenley and Susan Crandall, who was appointed this week.
Library policy resulted in moving books out of teen section
The book removal directive was enacted in December 2022, and required library staffers to read thousands of books in the young adult section to determine if they were “age appropriate.” Among the content that could be considered harmful to young readers were descriptions of sex and violence or the use of profanity. Many of the books removed contained LGBTQ+ themes.
The staff estimated in August it had spent about $60,000 to move nearly 3,500 titles. Completing the review would cost more than $300,000, the library previously projected.
The removal program captured national attention when a novel by Indiana teen author John Green — the “Fault in Our Stars” — was moved to the adult section. Green blasted the policy, the board and Fishers city leaders on social media. The board quickly directed the book be returned to the young adult section, blaming it on a misunderstanding by the staff.
In August conservative library board president Laura Alerding was replaced by the Noblesville School Board at the end of her term. In October, conservative Ray Maddalone resigned after the state's public access counselor ruled that he and Alerding violated the Open Door Law when they met privately with board lawyers to discuss library business.
Previously: HEPL board members met at a coffee shop. Public access expert says it broke Open Door Law.
Payne said other elements of the conservative program changes should remain. They include guidance that “parents and legal guardians know what is best for their own families.” The library should promote a publicity campaign that encourages parents to be aware of and “responsible to monitor their child’s access to materials,” Payne said.
The library also should continue with a review committee with which to lodge concerns.
Library Director Edra Waterman, who recently announced she will be leaving her post after 12 years on Dec, 22, said she expected a majority of the books that were moved to be returned.
Call IndyStar reporter John Tuohy at 317-444-6418 or email him at john.tuohy@indystar.com. Follow him on Facebook and X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: HEPL board reverses policy that moved YA books to adult section
